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753 BCE
Founding of Rome
According to legend Rome was founded by Romulus and Remus. -
509 BCE
The Roman Republic Begins
Rome transitions from monarchy to a republic, ruled by elected officials. -
264 BCE
The First Punic War
Rome fights Carthage and gains control of Sicily ,marking the start of its expansion beyond Italy -
218 BCE
The Second Punic War
Roman defeats Hannibal of Carthage, securing its dominance in western Mediterranean -
146 BCE
Destruction of Carthage
Rome destroys Carthage ending the Third Punic War and gaining control of North Africa -
55 BCE
Julius Caesars Invasion of Britain
Julius Caesar leads two expeditions to Britain , marking Romes first contacts with the island -
44 BCE
Assassination of Julius Caesar
Julius Caesar is assassinated, leading to the end of the Roman Republic and the rise of the Roman Empire -
27 BCE
Augustus Becomes the First Emperor
Octavian (later Augustus) becomes the first Roman Emperor, marking the beginning of the Roman -
43
Roman Conquest of Britain
The Roman Emperor Claudius orders the invasion of Britain , beginning Roman rule over the island -
64
The Great Fire of Rome
A massive fire destroys much of Rome , leading to the first persecution of Christians by Emperor Nero -
79
Eruption of Mount Vesuvius
The cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum are buried by volcanic ash -
122
Construction of Hadrian's Wall
Emperor Hadrian orders the building of a wall across northern Britain to defend against the Scots .